According to Environment Canada, there are two separate Alberta Clipper weather systems heading to Manitoba this week.
“There is quite a bit of weather coming,” says James Colangelo, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC). “We have an Alberta Clipper system that will be making its way across the prairies today and into tomorrow. The low track will be moving right through the middle of the prairies.”
Winnipeg and southern Manitoba can expect some freezing rain overnight already. Initially, the system will bring a lot milder than usual weather with it, with a high of plus three degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
“We have rising temperatures for Tuesday with showers or flurries in the afternoon. We’ll have some pretty strong winds in behind, with gusts up to 70 or 80 km/hr in some places. Not a ton of snow for the south.”
The first system is expected to bring about 10-20 cm of snow to parts of Northern Manitoba near Tadoule Lake.
“There could be some travel concerns for Tuesday afternoon,” says Colangelo. “It’s going to go from plus 2 or 3 down to minus 8 or 10 in the evening.”
A second system will be coming up right after on Wednesday afternoon, mainly hitting southern Manitoba this time.
“The track of this system is just south of the TransCanada highway. It looks like a lot of that snow will be brought down into southern Manitoba. Looking right now, there could be 10-15 cm of snow from Wednesday into Thursday. As that system moves through, Thursday night we’re looking at strong winds that come in behind, like winds gusting between 70-80 km/hr.”
The morning commute could be hazardous and produce blizzard-like conditions on Thursday, according to EC.
“Definitely carry a safety kit with you in your car. If you happen to get stranded somewhere, stay in your car. Do not leave your car as you already have shelter there. Don’t try to walk somewhere.”
For up-to-date information and any warnings, follow CHVN’s Jani King weather page.
